National Health Service Corps

Through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) scholarship program, students pursuing
a career in primary health care are eligible to receive funding for their medical
education in exchange for practicing in underserved communities upon graduation.

About

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) scholarship program is federally funded and
administered by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). The scholarship pays tuition, fees and other educational costs as well as provides
a living stipend in return for a commitment to work at least two years at an NHSC-approved
site in a medically underserved community. For each year of financial support (up
to four years), the student agrees to serve one year (minimum two years) at an NHSC-approved
site in a high-need urban, rural or frontier community across the nation.

Service begins upon graduation (and completion of primary care residency training
for doctors and dentists). The NHSC helps scholars find a practice site that is right
for them. When in service, scholars earn a market-rate salary, paid by the employing
facility.

Eligibility

Applicants must be:

U.S. citizens (U.S. born or naturalized) or U.S. nationals.

Full-time student at an accredited school in an U.S. state or territory.

Enrolled or accepted in the following primary health care disciplines:

Primary care physician (DO or MD)

Primary care physician assistant (PA)

Dentist (DDS or DMD)

Family nurse practitioner (NP)

Certified nurse-midwife (CNM)

Financial Benefits

Funding for a maximum of four (4) years paid directly to PCOM:

Tuition

Required School Fees

Reasonable educational costs

Monthly living stipend (paid directly to student)

Scholarship payments other than the living stipend are federal income tax-free.

Service Commitment

One-year service commitment per scholarship year or partial scholarship year; two-year minimum and four-year maximum.

Service Sites

NHSC scholars must practice at an NHSC-approved site in a Health Professional Shortage
Area (HPSA) that is determined annually. NHSC sites are located in 50 states, DC,
and other territories and may be a:

federal qualified health center

rural health clinic

state or federal correctional facility

community outpatient facility

critical access hospital

school-based health program

and more

Application Process

The scholarship program accepts applications once each year. The scholarship program
application opens in spring of each year and applications are usually due by late-April
each year. Sign up to receive an email from the NHSC when the application program opens.

Applicants chosen to receive the scholarship are notified no later than September
30.

The NHSC scholarship application process is highly competitive. This year, there were
more than 1,800 applications from hundreds of schools from across the country. Approximately
10 percent of the applicants received the scholarship award. Five of them are from PCOM.

In order to be considered for the scholarship, applicants must above all demonstrate
a commitment to primary care and to delivering it in underserved communities, along
with an interest to serve beyond completion of their NHSC service requirements. Other
major selection factors are excellent academic performance; a history of honoring
prior legal obligations; demonstration of financial need; and applicants being from
a disadvantaged background.

To learn more about how NHSC reviews applications and determines who receives a scholarship,
please watch the short video below:

Links

NHSC Loan Repayment Program

In addition to the Scholarship Program, the NHSC also offers a loan repayment program.

Licensed health care providers may earn up to $50,000 toward student loans in exchange
for a two-year commitment at an NHSC-approved site through the NHSC Loan Repayment
Program (NHSC LRP). Accepted participants may serve as primary care medical, dental
or mental/behavioral health clinicians and can choose to serve longer for additional
loan repayment support.

Fourth-year DO students can also consider the NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment
Program (S2S LRP). Medical (MD or DO) and dental students may earn up to $120,000
in their final year of school through this program. Students must commit to serving
at least three years at an approved NHSC site in a Health Professional Shortage Area
of greatest need.